In the arid plains of the Middle Eastern kingdom of Asran, Japanese photojournalist Makoto Shinjou travels to the remote airbase Area 88 to document the mercenaries who wage war on the country’s enemies for a living. Among the squad is Shin Kazama, a Japanese ace pilot who was deceived by his former best friend into signing a contract with the Asran fighter unit. Because of this betrayal, Shin lost his career as an airline pilot and the chance to marry his fiancée Ryoko Tsugumo. Now, to leave Area 88 and return to Japan, Shin faces three options: serve the mercenary group for three years, earn US$1.5 million, or desert the base and risk imminent death.